Radiator funnel



Patented Jupe zo, 1922,

w. E. ABBOTT. RADIATOR FUNNEI..

o uw "hv o Mm. 2 n w ,A i :z I.. C t l. l 6 .b l

n .R 2 2 m w y W APPLlcATloNv FILED APR. la. 1919. RENEwEn seni. 22.1921. '1,420,01 1

INVENTOR lfv/zm/vpfrr A TTORNE V8 WITNESSES WILLIAM EDGAR ABBOT'LUFBEND, OREGON, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ABBOTTINGORFORATED, OF BEND, OREGON, A CORPORATION OF OREG-ON.

RADATOR FUNNEL.

Application lledrllpril 16, 1919, Serial No. 290,477. Renewed September22, 1921.

.To all iin/0m t may concern.'

Re it known that l, lV'iLLmM EDGAR AB- so'r'r, a citizen ot the UnitedStates, and a resident ot Bend, in the county of Deschutes and IStale oiOregon, have invented anew and improved Radiator Funnel, of which thefollowing is a tull, clear, and eXact de-` scription.

This invention relates to radiator tunnels, and has re terence moreparticularly to a device oil this kind for use with the tillers oiautomobile radiators, the 'tunnel being normally disposed within theiiller and being udapted'to be withdrawn to assume an operativeposition.

An object ot the invention is to provide a simple and durable tunnel tofacilitate the lilling ot automobile radiators with water, which can beinexpensively produced in quantities, which, when not in use, isconcealed trom view, and which is at all times available when needed.

A ffm-ther object ol the invention is to provide a radiator tunnel whichis normally positioned within the liller ot' the radiator, which, whenwithdrawn from the iiller, automatically assumes an operative condition,and which cannot easily be accidentally displaced 'lfi'om the iiller.

A still further object ot the invention is to provide aradiator tunnelwhich'is adapted for use with automobile radiators ot different typesand kinds, which greatly facilitates the viilling oit the radiator,which eliminates the accidental splashing ot water over the hood orother parts ot the automobile, and which may be fashioned from anymaterial suitable tor the purpose,

The invention consists in the construction and con'ibination ot parts tobe more fully described hereinafter and particularly set vlorth in theclaims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part oithis specification, in which similar characters ot reterence indicatecorresponding parts in all the views, and in which lligure 1 is avertical cross section ot a part ol1 an automobile radiator showing theliller ot the same, and an embodiment o'l my invention associatedtherewith;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the tunnel in extended, operativeposition;

Specification of Letters Patent.

vwhich normally closes the iller.

Patented June 20,1922.

serial No. 502,591.

Figure 3 is a 'plan view of the tunnel ready for use; and

Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line t-t of Figure 2.

Before proceeding to a more detailed eX- planation of my invention, it'should be understood that while fi prefer to fashion the same from sheetor strip metal and a suitabletabric, any other material adapted for thepurpose may be employed. The funnel is usually used in combination withthe filler ot an automobile radiator', but the particular type or kindot radiator tiller entering into the Combination forms no part of theinvention. Certain of the details ot construction shown herewith may bevaried in accordance with necessity or individual preterence, withoutdeparting` from the spirit of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, l have illustrated, 'forexample, the upper part or head 10 of an automobile radiator oi:lconventional type. This has the usual upwardly extending tubular filler11, threaded at its iree end 12,V to receive the correspondinglythreaded iiller cap 13,

The radiator is usually iilled with water for the purpose of cooling themotor,'and the water is introduced into the radiator through the filler11. Ordinarily, a removable metal or other tunnel is employed in thisoperation. ln the absence ot such a tunnel, which must be carried in theautomobile or procured when necessary, it isditlicult to till theradiator, and water is generally splashed over the hood ot the machineand other parts thereof, in an attemptl to iill the radiator without atunnel. To eliminate these disadvantages l provide a serviceable tunnelwhich will be at all times available for use, and which when notemployed is concealed.

The tunnel pr per of my invention has a base shown. in the 'form of ametal band or ring 14, somewhat smaller in diameter than the innerdiameter ol' the filler 11. The band provided with a plurality otexternal, oii'set, outwardly disposed sockets 15, punched or stampedtrom the body of the metal. A corresponding number ot' ribs 16, otspring material such as metal, and normally ot arcuate form, are mountedabout the ring 14, each being received in one of the sockets l5 andsecurely held in position thereby. The sockets may be pressed upon theribs, or the latter may be soldered in position, if additional strengthis desired. lEach of the ribs, at its lower end, projects below the ring`la and is outwardly curved or deflected tor a purpose which will bedescribed hereinafter.

L `As is ,shown in Figure 2, the ribs, when in normal position, extendupward `and outward Yfrom the ring let, `forming in the aggregatea bellor tunnel-shaped trame. The tunnel body is formed by means `of asuitable fabric 17, attached `at its lower end to the ring le and havingits upper end held bythe extremities 18 ot the ribs, which areiii-turned and clamped upon the upper edge ot the fabric. lt so desired,the fabric ,may be `of waterproof material. n

Thefoutwardly curved or offset lower ei;- tremities 19, of the ribs,toi-m stops adapted to `engage any available partei the filler, to limitthe withdrawal of the `tunnel from they filler within which it isnormally positioned. As is shown 'tor example herewith, thewtiller hasan annular groove 2O termed therein, the upper edge ot which Ypresents ashoulder :2l which may beengaged by the stops 19, as is illustrated inFigure 2. @wing to the normal resiliency ot theribs 1G and theirrtendency to assume` the extended positionshown Ain Figure 2, when V'the'tunnel is withdrawnit will automatically take an operative position.Since the funnel is litted directly into the liller and in trictionalContact with. the inner surface oit the latter, the maximum capacityy ofthe tunnel is realized in practice. When it is no longer needed it isforced down into the i'iller and automatically collapses as shown inFigure l. `The normal resilient tendency of the ribs to spring outwardto the fla-red form ot Fig. 2 causes sutficient friction between the:tunnel and the top v,o'l the filler, when in the carrying posi* tion ofFig. l, to prevent the 'tunnel 'troni dropping down out ot reach whenwanted. W'hen not in use` the funnel is concealed by the filler cap 13.

I claim: fl. A, collapsible radiator tunnel tending normally to assume aflared operative condition and comprising` a ring having sockets,

a corresponding number of resilient ribs of arcuate form each secured toone of said sockets and held thereby in fixed position with respect tothe ring, each rib having its lower end projecting below the holdingsocket and deflected outward for engagement with the radiator filler,and a collapsibleV ilexible tunnel body supported by saidribs andattached thereto, said body being adapted to collapse with the ribswithin the filler.

tunnel comprising a ring, a series of resilient arc shaped ribs securedintermedi ate of their ends to the ring, the ends et the ribs above thering being the longer and extending normaliy i upward and outwardtherefrom, while the shorter lower ends ot the ribs are deflectedoutward :trom the ring to `serve as a limiting means for the movement ofthe tunnel, and a flexible collapsible tunnel body supported bysaid`ribs.

3. The herein described collapsible radiator tunnel comprising,`incombination, a rigid hollow base, a plurality `of resilient ribs`secured to the base and extending npward therefrom, said ribs beingoutwardly bent and having a normal tendency to tlare outward away fromone another at their upper ends, a collapsible lieXible tunnel bodyattached to said ribs and supported thereby, said body being adapted tocollapse with the ribs when the tunnel is forced downward into theradiator filler, and means extending beneath the tunnel base and adaptedto cooperate with said` liller to limit the upward movement oi thetunnel, substantially as set Yforth. i

et. A` collapsible` radiator tunnel tending .normally to assume anoperative condition and resiliently resisting a return to a collapsiblecondition, saiditunnel comprising a ring haying outwardly disposedsockets, a corresponding` number oli spring-metal ribs oit arcuate tornieach received in one ot :said sockets and securely held in positionthereby, each rib having .its lower end projecting below the ring andcurved 'tor engagement with the interior wall ot' a radiator iiller, anda liquidproot tabric supported by said. ribs and attached to the upperends thereof, said (fabric torining the Jifli'lnel body and :uilapted tocollapse with the ribs.

` WlLLllfiM EDGAR ABBOTT.

